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12 April 2013

Welcome Quick Givers! I'm thrilled you're here but really wish our usual hostess Jen was home with all six of her kiddos and not suffering through day after day with sweet JT in the NICU. I won't pretend to know what she's going through but judging by the time stamps of some of her emails she isn't getting much sleep and could probably use any prayers you're willing to spare the next several days. Also, if anyone knows of any Margarita delivery services, let me know because I think she could use ten or more.

I'm sure you're all familiar with 7 Quick Takes Friday but in the highly unlikely event that you aren't ... Jen hosts a weekly link-up of posts containing 7 quick takes. There doesn't need to be a cohesive theme and they can be as fast or rambly as you like. It's always fun reading Jen's takes because she always delivers in the interesting and hilarious departments. I apologize in advance as your guest host because I think I'll be flying in the stale and "why does she think she needed to share that?" realms. Hold on tight - I don't want to lose you.

1.

The older two kids have been infected with some sort of plague that seems to have only affected the contents of their diapers. I'm counting my blessings that it isn't a plague of the vommy variety but I do hope and pray it sends soon. With that said - Julia took it upon herself to try and change her own diaper tonight and Sebastian took it upon himself to get a permanent whiff by way of diaper contents on nose. It was definitely one of the finer moments for all parties involved - especially the parents. Simon is currently dealing with the aftermath but not without consulting our favorite parenting expert ...

I think we might look into teaching parenting classes someday soon because we really scream, "veterans".

2.

You've had enough potty talk? I didn't think so. I've come to the realization that there are an alarming number of children that are months and months younger than Julia that are completely and totally potty trained. I started reading OH CRAP! Potty Training last night and the author kept harping on the fact that 20-30 months was the ideal age to do the deed. Beyond 30 months would bring a whole slew of awful but I didn't think that applied to us because let me count on my fingers here ... 26, 27, 28, 29, OH CRAP is right. She turned 30 months (why does that sound older than 12 years old or something?) last month so basically I'm doomed and she's going to have issues for the rest of her days. Don't worry, I have big plans to stop typing about training and just doing it ... very soon.

3.

I crossed the line from safe distance stalker to creepy close breather and G-chatted Jones earlier today. I needed her input on NBC's take on The Bachelor ... Ready for Love. I'm scared I'm going to get emotionally invested (too late) and was hoping she'd done the same but she's sensible and she hadn't so we talked about important stuff like how Trader Joe's and Whole Foods sends our eyes into roll mode. I took things one step too far and started hating on the consummate Whole Foods footwear ... TOMS to which she responded that she was wearing a pair.

So here's an accurate description of Grace's side of the screen + longer locks tied in a greasy knot ...

Angie emailed last weekcurious if I was going to do a clickables post anytime soon.I will! But in the mean time let me tell you about two of my favorite new blogs ...

I. Team BodaI love reconnecting with old friends via the blogging verld. I knew Kristin at Franciscan way back in thuh day. She was the super intimidating and super in shape aerobics (fitness? It was 2001 .... aerobics still worked) class teacher that was really nice to my lowly freshman self. She has four gorgeous kids and a hilarious husband that writes awesome posts on Sundays. She lives in Florida and I try not to hate her for it which is easy when she writes gems like she did yesterday. Go forth and follow.

II. Best Daze of My LifeMariann is another FUS alum but unfortunately I didn't have the pleasure of knowing her when we were at school together but I wish that I had because her blog oozes wit and hilarity. 99% of the blogs I read are written by moms and I love them all but it's nice to venture outside my comfort zone for a few minutes every day to enjoy Mariann's writing and adventures from Annapolis.

7.

How did I get through the first six takes without posting 99 photos of my offspring? A lot (fine, one or maybe two) people asked what happened to Sebastian's forehead ...

here's a cute and smiley picture of peanut butter and Basher.

I didn't see what happened exactly but I think he flipped over the front of a bikey type ride toy in Charleston and ate a bit of cement. He was fine a few seconds later whereas Julia and I would probably still be crying if we'd been the clumsy victims. The Costco employee helping us tonight thought he had some sample food on his face and after he had patiently listened to Julia explain all about her brothers Fee-oh and Basher and Fee-oh I just let it slide because I thought he'd probably suffered enough female Patton for the evening.

7.5

I had just finished reading Michele's post when I checked my email and she had sent the following:

I have a really urgent prayer request and I'm trying to get the
word out to as many people as possible,

This mom and her baby need urgent prayers. I went to college with her and husband and they are just a really
amazing family and they're in a really tough
place with their youngest son. He has a whole host of serious symptoms
and they have no idea what's wrong with him. He's been in and out of the
ER and the PICU tons of times and has been seen by a number of
specialists all who have no idea what's wrong or how to treat him.

His special patron saint is St. Andre Bessette who's a pretty awesome saint in his own right. I'm sure Baby A's mama
would love to to have people implore St. Andre's intercession!

Thanks in advance for any prayers you're able to offer for them!

Thanks for letting me host, Jen! And thanks to all you linkers and readers for putting up with me, you're the best.

Just tell anyone who asks that you're potty-training the Scandinavian way. The only time Danish kids are potty-trained before 3 years old is when the kid itself insists. The average child is not considered to be physiologically and psychologically ready before then.

Oh my gosh! I'm so glad someone else talks about poop and diapers and potty training woes as much as I feel like I do! Our Li'l G is 30 months on the nose and still not trained. I feel like if we force her, she's another pet. I'm pretty sure I won't be worrying about sending her to school in diapers. Maybe.

Umm..so what should you do if your kid poops in the bathtub. Don't leave us hanging..please? Believe it or not, in 11 years of parenting, my kids have never done that. Maybe because they don't spend much time in bathtubs.

Oh my gosh, Phil came out of the bathroom a couple nights ago stating "Well, it's official. Now ALL of our kids have pooped in the bath." Xander held out the longest, he's almost 21 months, but he joined the disgusting club. Can't say I blame him, looks like all the cool kids are doing it.

As for the potty training, I just say bite the bullet!! I was planning on doing that with my 24 month old son...until HE came up to me one day, said he had to pee, pointed to the bathroom door, then proceeded to go pee on OUR toilet!!! Just goes to show it might not be as difficult as you think ;-)

If it makes you feel better, G is only half-potty-trained with no end in sight. Not dramatic, just realistic. I've heard the average for girls is 2 1/2 to 3 yrs.... And as long as she's trained before kindergarten, I'll take it. Or just keep telling myself that.

Thank you so much for the link to my kitchen!! Such a great Friday morning surprise!!As for the poop - yikes! Drain the tub and grab the paper towels and Chlorox clean-up!! Been there, been grossed-out! Hope the kids are feeling way better soon!!Apologies for the effusive use of exclamation points in this comment.

I've been reading and enjoying your blog for a while but this is my first time commenting. I have only one thing to share. Anyone who writes a book about potty-training and has an "ideal age range" or some crap like that should be punched in the face. Unless the age range is "before High School". That is all.

I always love reading your 7QT. As for the potty training.... The boys were over 3 yrs when they were finally trained and Rose was just about J's age when we buckled down and got it done (because I had another baby coming). By the third kid I had decided to stress less about it (and lots of other milestones, too).

With Spencer working the nights he has been, I've started contemplating Ready For Love, but I need a few more episodes to build up before I started watching it. (Marathon or nothing) Also - I'm with you on Whole Foods and TOMS, but Trader Joe's? Will always love.

We had some of those pooping in the bathtub moments, and we used to bathe our boys together...so, it was like that scene with the Baby Ruth in the pool in "Caddyshack," except not as funny.

And three of my five boys were in diapers past their third birthdays, because before that, they showed no interest in giving up diapers; but because they were so ready when the time came, potty-training them was a piece of cake. (I think I must have a little Scandinavian blood in me.)

You are awesome for the shout-out! My favorite blogger talked about ME! How many times did I not revive my blog because "No one can be as hilarious as Grace, so why even try..." You made my day, thank you! Also ... write a book. My married sibs would buy you out of copies.

Josiah is, let's see (taking off shoes so I can count on toes)....31 months! Not even close to potty trained. He did sit on it naked for about 15 minutes the other day. This was the FIRST interest he has ever shown. Now is not the time for me to be thinking about it, and I honestly don't believe he is ready. And my Parents as Teachers educator confirmed that he probably isn't ready, and so I am going with that official stamp of approval!

Roll your eyes at Whole Foods all you want - although I do wish I could buy all my food there because of the quality, it does just scream pretension. However, I used to be a Trader Joe's hater, but now I'm a lover. Yeah, it can be awfully twee, but man they sell some great stuff and my final bill at the register is always about half of what I expect it to be. And the employees are always so freaking nice. (Unlike the Whole Foods employee who gave me a 10 minute lecture about bringing my own grocery bags in, when I have been doing it for over a decade and sometimes I just forget OH MY GOSH YOU DON'T KNOW MY LIFE YOU SELF-RIGHTEOUS....WHERE IS YOUR MANAGER???)

And you get what you deserved for making fun of TOMS - they are the most comfortable, and philanthropic, UGLY shoes on the planet. I don't mind admitting that I own 4 pairs. (Yikes.)

All the pictures of Byron until he was, like now, show a huge bruise or abrasion on his head. I couldn't get a nice picture ever. But his father has several scars on his head so I assumed it was genetic and that eventually, it would make for some good pick up lines. And thanks for hosting but booooooo to non-reverse order.

Once when my kids were younger and taking a bath together, my daughter pooped in the tub. My son freaked out and started screaming, "Sarah pooped in the tub! Sarah pooped in the tub!"

They still love that story. In fact, just a couple of days ago, my son was retelling it to her. But he's 10 now and anything related to pooping usually brings hysterical fits of laughter. She didn't find it quite as funny.

And regarding the potty training - just do it! Let her pick out some nice undies at Target or I guess Costco for you. Preferably Dora undies. Tell her she can't wear them until...pick a day...next Tuesday (or whenever you plan to start). Show her the undies every morning and remind her that next Tuesday you start potty training and she can't wear them until she starts going potty like a big girl. Also get a large bag of M&M's (that's what we used anyway) and tell her when she goes poop in the potty she will get 6 of them and when she goes pee she will get 3. Show her the M&M's every day until you start potty training.

Then on Tuesday...put her in the underwear and tell her she needs to use the potty when she has to go. We had two accidents with my son the first day and one the second day and then we were home free. We used the same plan with my daughter and it worked just as well. Also, we just used the real toilet with a potty lid...we never used the little chair.

All right, a boring storing about my kid pooping in the tub and unsolicited potty training advice. I'm going to sign off before I get band from the blog!

Thanks again for the shout out! I was reading your blog at 5am this morning, while Matt was in our bathroom tending to a throwing up Isaac. Reading your post and then seeing you mention my blog was enough to make the throwing up situation and it being so dag gone early in the morning pretty ok. :) Thanks, friend!

Just discovered your blog today. I was reading that your husband was an OB resident in Saint Louis and wondered if you knew my husbands best friend, Dr. Brian Gosser. Sure enough you are his friend on Facebook. What a small world! Great blog and cute kids!

I bribed my daughter with M&Ms and trips to the ice cream shop to get her to use the potty... Some people try the potty trained in 3 days method... Some try the its summer time so run around outside without pants on method... But who does not like a good parental bribe to get the job done?

We told our daughter she gets a Hershey kiss everytime she poops in the pot! I haven't changed a single poop of hers since that day!! Her older brother also gets one for being the big brother that shows moral support!! Oh yeah this worked at 34 months.

My oldest wasn't potty trained until he was just shy of 3. Because I just didn't know any better! I did the others right around 2, or little before. However, all that being said, some kids are just really resistant, and you can't make it a giant battle. She won't go to kindergarten in diapers. I am a huge fan of the John Rosemond naked method. You can wait until the weather warms a bit and go for it then. She's old enough that she will get it quickly. Plus, she's a girl. Don't stress!!

Thanks for hosting, Grace! Obviously you need one more comment about potty-training, and I've done it a whopping ONE time so: my daughter trained pretty easily around 33 months. I tried several times before the 30 month mark but it was miserable and didn't work because she wasn't ready. At 33 months, she was ready, and it was fairly easy. So yeah.